MURDER AND INTRIGUE AT CONNIE'S INN!

Mrs. Olive Blackwell-Bakay, widow of slain entertainer Hal Bakay (left), collapses into the arms of ushers as she is led from the funeral of her late husband.  Bakay, only 21 years of age, was attacked with a knife on Sunday, November 7, 1931 as he left the now legendary Harlem nightclub, Connie's Inn. Bakay was a very popular headlining singer, dancer and emcee with the club's house band.  For nearly a week, the entertainer lay in Harlem Hospital unable to identify his attacker whom he encountered in a hallway at 220 W. 131st St.  Harold "Hal" Bakay (also spelled Baquet) was of a very well-known musical family of New Orleans.  He died on the morning of November 11, 1931. 

The murder was originally attributed to the acclaimed singer/actor known as Spencer Williams.  The problem is that the news reporters confused Spencer with another popular Williams - the legendary jazz musician, Clarence Williams.  They also confounded the issue by listing Clarence William's extraordinary songwriting and Jazz credentials in conjunction with Spencer's name.  They often went one step further by stating that the two men were brothers which they were not.  Regardless, Spencer Williams went into hiding immediately after the Bakay stabbing but turned himself in when he "learned he was wanted" by the police.  Williams was eventually exonerated of any wrongdoing after a supposedly thorough investigation of the crime. 

The reason for Bakay's death was a beautiful chorus girl named Consuella Harris.  Apparently, someone made an offhand remark about Ms. Harris that may have had lesbian connotations. Was it Spencer Williams?  Or was it a man named Jesse Coleman? Both were reported to be "friends" of Bakay's at the time that he stepped between the two men to act as peacemaker. One of the two of them said something about Consuella Harris that the other didn't like and they reacted violently.  Supposedly, Williams didn't care for Bakay's interference and set him up after his performance that night.  But who was the other chorus girl that Consuella Harris loved "too openly?." Which one of the men objected to her the most and why? 

I guess it's just one of those things that make you go .... hmmmmm !

 

 

 

Comments

[Greg]

Excellent Post Corey!

[Derrick from Philly]

Corey, you are now my first reference I'd go to for anything I want to know about Black show business/cultural history. I don't mean that as a slight to Professor Donald Bogle, but I just want you to know how much these articles mean to me.

THANK YOU!

[Corey]

@Thank you, Greg!

@Derrick, to be mentioned in the same breath as BOGLE is a DREAM!

But seriously, I was just thinking the other day that if it were not for the TWO OF YOU (and a slight few others) the comments section on this blog would DIE right here on the vine. Therefore, I HAVE TO give it up to you both and say THANK YOU for your continued support and for your genuine INTEREST. (And I don't mean that as a slight to anyone ELSE!). It took me awhile to finally just DO WHAT I DO and LET IT BE - but feedback is STILL FUN and IMPORTANT!

Thanks for helping to make it a joy!

[Derrick from Philly]

Corey:

You know that most people who visit blogs don't usually post a comment. And don't forget the wealth of information folks can find about Black American popular entertainment and Black show biz figures on this blog. Remember how I found it: I was Goggling "Ava Gardner + Lena Horne".

There will be people who are trying to find out more information on figures such as Valaida Snow and Florence Mills. They will Google those names, and what pops up? Corey@ I'll Keep You Posted.

I look forward to the articles on your blog. And your prose style is very entertaining, sophisticated and most all, inviting.

Thanks again.